Provided are methods and compositions for inducing cells of the inner ear (for example, cochlear and utricular hair cells) to reenter to cell cycle and to proliferate. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of agents that increase c-myc activity and/or Notch activity for inducing cell cycle reentry and proliferation of cochlear or utricular hair cells and/or cochlear or utricular supporting cells. The methods and compositions can be used to promote the proliferation of hair cells and/or supporting cells to treat a subject at risk of or affected with, hearing loss or a subject at risk of or affected with vestibular dysfunction.
